FBI Investigating Heinz Deal for Insider Trading

Tuesday, 19 Feb 2013 | 5:44 PM ETReuters

SHARES

Getty Images

President and CEO William R. Johnson of the H.J. Heinz Company

The FBI is looking into alleged insider trading in the options of ketchup maker Heinz before its blockbuster deal last week to be acquired by Warren Buffett and 3G Capital, a bureau spokesman said on Tuesday.

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway and Brazil's 3G said last Thursday they would buy Heinz for $23 billion in cash. Almost immediately, options market players noted extremely unusual activity the day before the deal.